12 Truly Heartbreaking Facts About Film In 2016
2. The BFG Is A Rare Box Office Dud For Steven Spielberg
You know 2016's all kinds of messed up when even Steven Spielberg can't make a profitable movie. Despite positive reviews, The BFG grossed just $178.1 million on a $140 million budget, making it his worst financial showing to date when considering budget-to-profit.
Analysts remain divided on why the film bombed, though some possibilities are the "uncanny" CGI look of the title character (which apparently scared some kids), the book not being too popular in the U.S., and most crucially, the movie not being marketed as The Big Friendly Giant given how many international audiences have no idea what a BFG is.
Spielberg has dealt with films that didn't exactly clean up at the box office before, but nothing on this level of scope and cost, causing some to suspect whether the filmmaking legend has lost his touch. It seems unlikely, but it's still a troubling sign when one of cinema's great artists can't print cash off a beloved children's novel.